Before signing, walk the entire route, inspect penetrations and reinstatement, confirm that boxes and cables are secure, record the ONT identifier and order reference, and ask whether the work is physically complete only or already activated. List outstanding work in writing and do not accept an undocumented promise to return.
Last reviewed: 26 August 2026 · 10 min read
Why the handover matters
After the installer leaves, changing a route or equipment position can require a new appointment and fee. Photographs and written notes are easier to create while the team is present than during a later dispute.
The signature or digital acceptance should reflect what you actually inspected. It should not be treated as a routine click when drilling, trenching or reinstatement remains disputed.
1. Confirm the correct order and premises
Check:
- customer or authorised representative name;
- exact street address and unit;
- FNO and ISP;
- order and job numbers;
- date and contractor;
- whether the job is a new installation, completion or relocation.
If identifiers do not match, pause before accepting the work.
2. Walk the full physical route
Start at the property entry and follow the visible route to the ONT.
Confirm:
- it follows the route you approved;
- exposed sections are protected and secured;
- there are no obvious crush points or sharp unsupported bends;
- cable is not loose across walking or vehicle areas;
- ducting is fixed neatly enough for the agreed standard;
- the route does not obstruct doors, windows or gates;
- the route respects landlord, HOA or body-corporate conditions.
Do not pull, bend or open the fibre to inspect it.
3. Inspect trenches and reinstatement
Where civil work occurred, check:
- trench is closed and safe;
- included soil, lawn or paving reinstatement is complete;
- removed material and debris are cleared;
- drains and access points are not blocked;
- cable route is recorded for future gardening or building work;
- any specialist restoration outside scope is clearly assigned.
Compare with pre-installation photographs if available.
4. Inspect wall penetrations and surface finishes
Check that:
- the entry position is the one approved;
- the cable is protected through the wall;
- the penetration is reasonably sealed under the installation scope;
- visible chipping or cracking is recorded;
- external water exposure has been considered;
- surface ducting and clips are secure;
- common-property work follows the authorised route.
Do not accept “someone else will fix it” without a reference and responsible party.
5. Confirm termination and ONT placement
The equipment should be:
- securely mounted;
- dry and protected;
- near the intended power supply;
- accessible for status lights and labels;
- not hidden behind permanent furniture;
- away from obvious impact or tampering;
- positioned as agreed with the property authority.
ISPA’s equipment guidance supports keeping status indicators and identifiers accessible and avoiding publicly exposed positions.
6. Record equipment and references
Photograph or write down:
- ONT manufacturer and model if visible;
- serial, line or service identifier;
- termination-box location;
- designated Ethernet port;
- power-supply details;
- installer job number;
- ISP and FNO order references;
- contractor contact or support channel supplied for the job.
Do not publish equipment identifiers online.
7. Ask whether the optical installation passed
Ask the installer:
- Was the optical connection tested under the FNO process?
- Did it pass the FNO acceptance standard?
- Was the result uploaded against the correct address and ONT?
- Is any technical completion step still outstanding?
Do not insist on a signal-value rule copied from another FNO. Designs and acceptance ranges vary. The important point is documented pass/fail under the responsible network’s standard.
8. Separate four handover states
Ask which of these is true:
- Physical route complete: Cable and equipment are installed.
- Installation accepted: The FNO system has received and accepted the job result.
- FNO line activated: The access network has provisioned the line.
- ISP service live: The router can use the ISP internet service.
ISPA cautions that installers can create confusion by saying “complete” when activation remains outstanding. Record the exact state and next owner.
9. Confirm router handover separately
If the router is present, confirm:
- ownership or return terms;
- power supply;
- correct ONT port and cable;
- Wi-Fi name and password handover;
- ISP setup instructions;
- support contact.
Do not use installation handover to redesign the entire home network. After go-live, use Home Network Infrastructure & Wi-Fi Gaming for router and LAN decisions.
10. Record outstanding work
For each issue, write:
- description;
- photograph;
- responsible party;
- job or escalation reference;
- agreed return action;
- expected update date;
- whether it prevents acceptance.
If the issue is material, ask for a supervisor before signing. If it is minor and the work is accepted subject to correction, ensure the condition appears on the job record.
11. Save the handover pack
Keep together:
- order confirmation;
- permission documents;
- standard-scope description;
- extra-work quotes and receipts;
- before-and-after photographs;
- signed or digital acceptance;
- equipment identifiers;
- activation message;
- router terms;
- outstanding-work references.
Future occupants and support teams may need this information.
Printable short checklist
- Correct address, FNO, ISP and order references
- Approved route followed
- Cable and ducting secure
- Wall entry checked
- Trench or paving reinstatement checked
- ONT secure, powered, protected and accessible
- Equipment identifier recorded
- Optical installation confirmed as passed or outstanding
- Physical completion distinguished from activation
- Router ownership and setup confirmed
- Outstanding work documented with a reference
- Photographs and acceptance saved
After the service is confirmed live
If the connection does not work after the ISP confirms activation, start with the appropriate existing resources:
- FNO Troubleshooting & Fibre Diagnostics
- Support & Intelligent Diagnostics
- How to Test Fibre Speed Correctly
- Home Network Infrastructure & Wi-Fi Gaming
Those pages own post-installation technical diagnosis. This checklist intentionally ends at handover.
Sources
- ISPA FNO and ISP Best Practice Recommendations
- Frogfoot Networks installation process
- Openserve fibre hardware guide
- MetroFibre fibre FAQs
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